A FESTIVE fracas has erupted at a Cheshire primary school where pupils are being urged not to send greetings cards to each other this year.

Instead of enjoying the magic of Christmas by exchanging cards, the parent teacher association at Kelsall Primary School wants all 190 pupils to dig deep for charity.

And to top it all, the school is urging the parents of pupils not to send cards to friends this year - but to join children and donate to Kelsall Primary and Claire House Hospice, based at Clatterbridge Hospital in Wirral.

Parents have blasted the idea saying donating to the school and charity is taking the magic out of Christmas which has witnessed the exchange of greetings cards in Britain since 1843.

However, headteacher Elaine Devine says not sending cards will benefit a needy charity and the school.

'The idea was put forward by the PTA on behalf of other parents. It's a small issue,' she said.

'It's an idea of saving the planet and not drowning in more paper.'

Parents were urged to ditch Christmas cards this year after receiving a letter from Kelsall Primary which stated that a mailbox collection for pupils' cards would not be in operation this year.

In the letter, the PTA (The Friends of Kelsall School) says: 'At the recent PTA meeting we decided on some fundraising items for the Christmas term.

'We came up with a fundraising idea which benefits the school, a local charity and the environment - and not least you, the parents. It's called the Christmas Card Classroom Collage.

'Instead of each child writing and sending Christmas cards to individual members of their class and friends, we would like them each to bring in one hand-made card to form a school frieze to be displayed in the school throughout December.

'We would ask for a donation to be split 50/50 between the PTA and Claire House Hospice.'

They add: 'We hope you will support this idea and raise much-needed funds for the local charity and the school as well as saving some trees.

'We would also be delighted if parents came to an agreement not to send each other cards and instead make an additional donation.'

One parent, who wished to re-main anonymous, said: 'Have the fundraisers at Kelsall Primardy School gone too far this time?

'The PTA is banning the children from sending each other Christmas cards and instead want the cash off the parents.

'This is to be divided between two charities, Claire House and the school. A good idea you might think but since I (and a great deal of the parents) buy my Christmas cards at charity shops a lot of charities will miss out.

The parent also criticised the cancellation of this year's Christmas fair due to building work:

'What has happened to Christmas? Should we all just cancel this magical time for children and adults alike and simply hand over a cheque.'

The angry parent continued: 'I think being urged not to send Christmas cards is outrageous. I think it's a bit appalling.

'When I read the PTA letter urging parents not to send Christmas cards this year I was even more incensed. Not everybody wants to give money to charity.'

Elizabeth Jackson, chairman of the PTA, said the charity donation idea was formulated at a recent annual meeting which was open to all parents.

She says the school is not banning the exchange of Christmas cards but the PTA would prefer it if pupils donated cash to charity.

'It's an entirely optional thing if people wish to donate to charity. We are not stopping children from sending Christmas cards.

'Each pupil is being encouraged to design their own card which will be placed in a collage,' said Mrs Jackson.

'It is better than just placing your signature on a normal card.'

Mrs Jackson denied the non-exchange of cards would take the magic out of Christmas.

'I don't think it will. Not for my children,' she said.

'We felt it would be a nice idea to donate to charity, to help others less fortunate. The idea was discussed at our recent AGM which was open to all parents.'